Apparatus for tinning milk cans



v c. A. QOMP APPARATUS FOR TINNING MILK CANS Filed April 20, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet l @Houle 1:,/2

Nov. l5, 1927.

1,649,153 C. A. COMP APPARATUS FOR TINNING MILK CANS Filed Avril 20. 1925 Sheets-Sheet '2 Patented Non., l5, i927.

rufen I STATES li'lllCE.

CHARLES A. CGM?, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR T BUHL STAMPING COMPANY, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION 0F MICHIGAN. i

.APPARATUS FOR TINNING MILK CANS.

application mea April 20, 1925. serial No. 24,708.

rlhe invention relates to machines adapted to be used in connection with the process of tinning described in my copending application Serial Number 24,706, filed April 20, yi925. Briefly described, this process consists in immersing 'the articles to be tinned in a bath of molten tin heated to a temperature considerably above the melting point and after removing the article subjecting the l@ same immediately to the action of centrifugal force to strip t-heexcess metal from the surface before it has solidified The machine described in the present application is particularly designed for rotating articles such `as milk cans and the like and consists in an arrangement whereby articles may be mounted to extend radially of the revolving member with the open end pointing outward so that the excess metal 2U' willbe removed from all of the surfaces.

@ne ofthe objects of the invention is to provide a machine capable of holding a plu rality of milk cans in such a manner that the rotation of the machine will remove the excess tin from all of the surfaces both inside and out and leave the same with a smooth finish having a good appearance. Another object is to provide means for maintaining the temperature of the article :lo above the melting point of the tin until the stripping of the excess metal is completed. ther objects reside in the novelfeatures of construction hereinafter more fully described and illustratedin the accompany ing drawings wherein:

Figure l is a side elevation of the ma chine partly in section;

Figure 2 is a plan view thereof partly in section;

Figure 3 is a transverse section on the line 3-3 of Figure l; and

Figure 4 is an enlarged vertical section through the lower portion of the spinner shaft.

is The machine as illustrated in the drawings comprises a frame l0 preferably built up of structural iron having longitudinal channel members l5 and the transverse angle bars 16. The power for operating the machine 5U is derived from a suitable motor (not shown) acting through a horizontal shaft 17, the latter being journaled in suitable bearings 19 to extend longitudinally of the frame` and carrying the bevel pinion 20. 2l

is a vertical hollow spinner shaft having a transverse flange ll journaled by means of the thrust bearing 22 on a suitable support 23 preferably formed by the upwardly inclined legs 24 rising from the transverse angle bars 16 of the frame. `Within the hollow shaft 21 is inserted a stiffening shaft 25 which extends below the lower end ofthe hollow shaft and carries the rotatable sleeve 26. A bevel gear 27 is keyed to the sleeve 26 and meshes with the bevel pinion 2() while a, clutch 23 is mounted above the gear 27 and is longitudinally slidable upon the sleeve 26 as well as being keyed thereto bythe key 23a. At the upper end of the clutch 28 there is a cone-shaped clutch member 29 adapted to engage a cooperating clutch member 30 on the lower end of the shaft 2l, the cooperating clutch member being provided with the internally coned surface 3l. For operating the clutch there is a lever 32 secured to the horizontal shaft 33 and having a bifurcated outer end 34 secured to a collar 35, the latter surrounding the clutch collar 28b and engaging the annular shoulder 36. The bifurcated outer end 34 is provided with hori- Zontally elongated apertures 37 through which project pins 38, the latter beingr threadedly secured to the collar 35.

The horizontal shaft 33 extends transversely of the frame l() and is journaled in bearings 40 upon the longitudinal members l5. For rocking the shaft to raise and lower the clutch a lever 4l is pinned or keyed to the end 42 of the shaft projecting beyondv the frame and carries at its outer end a foot pedal 43. The pedal is normally held in raised position by a spring 44 arranged between the same and a bracket 45 project ing from the frame. The shaft 33 also carries a pair of levers 46 to the upper ends of which is secured a brake shoe 47 provided lwith a segmental surface 48 adapted to engage the outer surface 49 of the clutch member 30. The brake shoe is preferably provided with a friction lining 50 of leather or other suitable material. The levers 32 and 46 are so mounted on the shaft 33 that the clutch member 29 and the brake shoe 47 are alternately engaged with the spinner shaft 2l by the movement of the foot pedal 43.

The machine as above described isisimilar` to that described in .my copending application Serial Number 24,707 filed April 20, 1925. This application is directed primarily to -a construction where the articles to be rotated, such as milk cans, are mounted with their axes extending radially of the spinner shaft 21. In order to support the milk cans in this manner I have devised a construction permitting the quick insertion and removal of the articles and providing a means for holding the same which does not interfere with the stripping of the excess tin during the rotation of the machine. Thus, as illustrated, a horizontal plate 77 is secured to the spinner shaft and carries at its outer 'edges the horizontal angle bars 78 y which extend in opposite directions forming supports for the cradles 78a in which the milk cans are mounted. Each of these cradles comprises `a pair of semi-cylindrical metallic straps' 75 4having the opposite ends thereof secured tothe angle bars 78 and provided midway between the ends with inwardly projecting positioning pins 79. A sheet metal semi-cylindrical lower housing 80 is also secured to said angle bars and carries at its opposite ends the circular sheet metal heads 8l and 8:2. 83 is a semi-cylindrical upper housing hingedly attached to one of the angle bars as indicated at 84 so as to permit opening of the housing for the insertion and removal of the milk can 85. For positioning the milk can within the housing 'there are in addition to the pins 79 the sharp pointed strips 86 extending inwardly from the angle bars 78 for engaging the milk can near the bottom thereof and also the round pointed strips 87 for engaging the rounded bead 88. This bead is formed at the junction of the breast of the milk can with the cylindrical lower portion. For absorbing the radial thrust due to the rotation of the device there are the inwardly projecting strips89 formed with lateral portions 90 adapted to engage the handles 91 of the milk can.

With the construction as above described it will be readily apparent that the assembled milk cans may be securely held within a su-rrounding casing so that the longitudinal axis extends radially of the spinner shaft. Furthermore, the arrangement is such lthat the milk can can be quickly mounted in the machine after being removed from the 'tin bath so that it can be subjected to centrifugal action before the temperature drops to the solidification point of the molten tin.

What yI claim as my invention is 1. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a rotatable member, and means including a housing having inwardly extending lingers secured to said member for supporting a milk can with its axis arranged radially of said member.

2. In an apparatus of the class described,

the combination of a rotatable member, means secured to said member for supporting a milk can with its axis arranged radially of said member and a housing carried by said means enclosing said milk can to entirely prevent circulation of the air adjacent Said milk can during the rotation of said member.

3. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a holder for supporting a milk can, means for rotating said holder about an axis transverse to the axis of said milk can, and means carried by said holder for entirely preventing the circulation of the air adjacent said milk can during the rotation thereof.

Il. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a rotatable member, an arm extending radially of said member, a housing at the outerr end of said arm and inwardly projecting lingers adapted to engage a milk can to position the same radially of said rotatable member.

5. In a centrifugal machine, the combination of a rotatable member, ya housing projecting from said member and revolved thereby, and means within said housing having a limited contact with the article to be revolved for supporting the same radially of said rotatable member.

6. In a centrifugal machine the combination of a rotatable spindle, a pair of arms extending transversely of said spindle, a cylindrical housing secured to said arms, inwardly projecting fingers within said housing adapted to engage the outer cylindrical surface of a milk can to support the sa'me and prevent lateral movement, and stops secured to said arms adapted to engage said milk can to prevent radial movement during the rotation thereof.

7. In a centrifugal machine, the combina tion of la rotatable member, a pair of arms extending transversely of said member, a depending semi-cylindrical housing secured to said arms, a complementary semi-cylindrical housing hingedly connected to one of said arms, closures for the vends of said housings, inwardly projecting fingers within said housing adapted to engage the outer cylindrical surface of a milk can to support the same and prevent lateral movement, 'and stops secured to said arms adapted to engage the outer end of said milk can to prevent radial movement during rotation.

8. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a rotatable me'niber, an arm extending radially of said member, a housing carried by said arm at its outer end, and means within said housing adapted to engage a milk can to position the same radi ally of said rotatable member.

9. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a rotatable'member, and means within a housing carried by said rol ff,

tatable member and revolved thereby adapted to secure a milk can with its axis extending radially of said member.

l0. In a device of the character described, the combination with a housing, of means ior supporting an article entirely within the housing and in spaced relation to the walls thereof, and means for revolving the housing While maintaining the spaced relation 0i' the article with the walls of the housing.

ll. In a device oi' the character described, in combination, a rotatable member, a milk can adapted to be revolved by the rotatable member, and a shield surrounding the said milk can and revoluble therewith.

l2. In a device of the character described, the combination with a milk can, of means 'for )moving the milk can in an orbit, and a shield surrounding the said milk can and movable therewith.

13. In a device of the character described, the combination with a rotatable member, of arms extending ,radially of the member and means for supporting a milk can co-axially with each arm and with its open end facing outwardly away from the rotatable member.

14. In a device of the character described, the combination with a rotatable member, ct' an arm 'extending radially of said member, a housing carried byvsaid arm, and means for rigidly mounting a milk can entirely Within the housing and in spaced relation to the walls thereof.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature CHARLES A. COMP. 

